[05/25/10 - 04:31 PM]Discovery Channel Renews the Colony for Second SeasonThe 10-episode sophomore season will launch this summer.

[via press release from Discovery]

DISCOVERY CHANNEL RENEWS THE COLONY FOR SECOND SEASON

Groundbreaking Survival Series Produced by Original Productions Premieres Summer 2010

Discovery Channel has greenlit a 10-episode second season of THE COLONY, it was announced today by Clark Bunting, President and General Manager of Discovery Channel and President of Science Channel. Produced for Discovery by Original Productions (a FremantleMedia Company), the series is a controlled experiment that places ordinary people from all walks of life in a simulated post-catastrophic environment to see what it takes to survive and rebuild in a world without electricity, running water, government or outside communication.

"THE COLONY is a groundbreaking, genre-busting series unlike anything else on television today and we are excited to bring it back for season two," says Bunting. "It combines key Discovery Channel themes of survival, exploration and technology in the most unique way possible, and the characters are imminently relatable -- viewers will find themselves asking, 'What would I do in a similar situation?'"

"Everyone knows I love to tell stories that feature everyday people facing extraordinary challenges, and the Season 2 Colonists will not disappoint. Their personal ingenuity, tenacity and pure grit and guts are unbelievable," says Thom Beers, CEO and Executive Producer of Original Productions.

Season 2 of THE COLONY will feature a group of volunteers with differing backgrounds, skills and personalities. Throughout the season, they face daunting physical, technological and emotional challenges as they attempt to survive in a world void of all the niceties they've ever known. Filmed in Louisiana, the series' 6�-acre environment has been designed in conjunction with experts in homeland security, engineering and psychology to simulate what the future could look like after a global viral catastrophe. Empty buildings, weedy streets and the backwoods are all the volunteers have to work with as they scavenge essentials for survival from their surroundings while fending off threats such as wild animals and malicious outsiders.

THE COLONY is produced by Original Productions, a FremantleMedia Company, for Discovery Channel. For Original Productions, executive producers are Thom Beers and Philip Segal; co-executive producers are Jeff Conroy and Jarrod Harlow. For Discovery Channel, Chris Rantamaki is executive producer.